This law sets out the official public holidays for Saint Kitts and Nevis. It requires banks, government offices, and shops that sell goods to stay closed on these official holidays.
It also protects financial transactions. If a payment, check, or official note is due on a public holiday, you are legally allowed to process or pay it on the next business day without penalty.
Think of a public holiday as a mandatory pause button for formal business and government duties. If your bill or loan payment happens to fall on a public holiday, the law treats it as if it were due on the next working day, so nobody can penalize you for not paying on the holiday itself.
The law officially lists the following public holidays:
- New Year's Day (January 1)
- The Sovereign's Birthday (as publicly announced)
- Labour Day (the first Monday in May)
- Whit Monday
- Emancipation Day (the first Monday in August)
- National Heroes Day (September 16)
- Independence Day (September 19)
- Boxing Day (December 26)
- Easter Monday
If New Year's Day, the Sovereign's Birthday, National Heroes Day, or Independence Day falls on a Sunday, the following Monday becomes the official public holiday instead.
Some essential businesses are allowed to open on public holidays:
- Pharmacies and drug stores, when necessary to prepare prescriptions and sell medicine
- Public markets and food or drink sellers, but only up until 9:00 AM
- Petrol stations selling gas, oil, or car accessories
- Garages performing emergency vehicle repairs
- Any specific type of store given special permission by an order from the Governor-General
The Governor-General has the power to declare special public holidays for the entire country or for specific islands, towns, or villages. The Governor-General can also move a standard public holiday to a different date in a specific year if keeping the original date is impractical.
It is illegal to open a bank, store, shop, or public office on a public holiday without proper legal permission. Anyone who breaks this rule can be fined up to $500 upon conviction.
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